Productive Parameters in Buffalo Farming

Buffalo farming (water buffalo) stands out for its dual purpose (meat and milk) and its adaptation to hot and humid climates.

ANIMAL PRODUCTION

7/16/20257 min read

Buffalo farming (water buffalo) stands out for its dual purpose (meat and milk) and its adaptation to hot and humid climates. While trends vary by breed and management, buffaloes exhibit typical zootechnical parameters that are important to understand for both meat and milk production. Below is a summary of the main productive indicators for buffaloes, with average figures drawn from different studies, comparing them with traditional cattle where relevant.

Key Productive Indicators

Daily Weight Gain (DWG): Dairy or beef buffalo breeds typically gain, on average, around 0.9–1.1 kg per day in moderate pasture-based fattening (1, 2). Under intensive confinement conditions with balanced diets, even higher gains have been reported (up to 1.2–1.3 kg/day) (2). For reference, commercial beef cattle breeds usually average ~1.2–1.6 kg/day under intensive feeding.
Feed Conversion Ratio: Buffaloes show moderate feed conversion ratios: approximately 9–12 kg of dry matter (DM) are required per kg of weight gain (3). This is somewhat less efficient than beef cattle (≈6–8 kg DM/kg), due to buffaloes' higher fiber intake.
Age at First Calving: In buffaloes, the age at first calving tends to be high, around 1,100–1,200 days (3.0–3.3 years) (4). In a Colombian Murrah buffalo study, the average was 1,133 days (≈37.7 months) (4). In comparison, specialized dairy cows start breeding much earlier (around 24–30 months of age) (5), while in crossbred dual-purpose cattle in the tropics, values typically range between 32 and 48 months (6).
Calving Interval: The calving-to-calving interval for buffaloes averages around 400–430 days (approximately 13–14 months) (4, 7). Studies indicate, for example, 430.8 days in Murrah herds (4). Efficient bovines aim for an interval of ~365 days (1 year) (8); in practice, in tropical systems, it's usually 380–400 days. Buffaloes, due to their physiology, tend to have slightly longer intervals than the optimal (around 12 months), which slightly reduces annual calf and milk productivity.
Lactation Length: Buffaloes have relatively long lactations. A Murrah herd analyzed showed an average lactation length of ~301 days (4). Generally, buffalo lactation is considered to last about 240–270 days (8–9 months) (9). For dairy cows, the standard lactation is ~270–305 days.
Milk Production (per lactation): Annual production per buffalo varies by breed and management. For example, Italian Mediterranean buffaloes produce, on average, ~2,175 kg of milk in 270 days (10). A Colombian study reported 2,130 kg per lactation in a Murrah herd (4). In Indian breeds like Murrah, similar values are recorded (Murrah: ~2,226 kg in 305 days) (11). For comparison, high-producing Holstein cows can reach several thousand kg per lactation (6,000–8,000 kg), while tropical dual-purpose cows range from 2,500–4,000 kg.
Milk Quality: Buffalo milk is very rich in fat solids and protein. It typically contains ~7–8% fat and about 4.2% protein (12), in contrast to ~3–4% fat and ~3–3.5% protein in cow's milk. This makes it especially valuable for the cheese industry (e.g., buffalo mozzarella). In fact, a report indicates 4.18% protein and 7.38% fat in buffalo milk (12). It also contains more calcium and iron than bovine milk (several studies in Brazil corroborate this) (13).

Comparative Summary: Buffalo vs. Typical Cattle Productive Indicators

Daily Weight Gain:
- Buffaloes: ≈0.9–1.1 kg/day (Murrah) (1), (up to 1.2–1.3 in confinement) (2).
- Typical Cattle: ≈1.0–1.5 kg/day (intensive beef cattle).
Feed Conversion Ratio:
- Buffaloes: ≈9–12 kg DM/kg weight gained (3).
- Typical Cattle: ≈6–8 kg DM/kg (beef cattle).
Age at First Calving
- Buffaloes: ≈1,130–1,200 days (~37–40 months) (4).
- Typical Cattle: 24–30 months (specialized cows) (5).
Calving Interval
- Buffaloes: ~400–430 days (~13–14 months) (4, 7).
- Typical Cattle: ≈365–400 days (target 365) (8).
Lactation Length
- Buffaloes: ≈270–300 days (4, 9).
- Typical Cattle: ≈270–305 days.
Milk Production (lact.)
- Buffaloes: ~2,100–2,200 kg/lact (Mediterranean buffalo) (10).
- Typical Cattle: 4,000–8,000 kg (dairy cow, depending on technology).
Milk Fat %
- Buffaloes: 7–8% (Mediterranean buffalo) (10, 12).
- Typical Cattle: ~3.5–4% (Holstein cow)
Milk Protein %
- Buffaloes: ~4,2% (12).
- Typical Cattle: ~3,0–3,5%

Advantages and Challenges Compared to Bovine Livestock

Buffalo farming offers several advantages over cattle, especially in tropical environments and low-tech systems. These include:

Adaptability and Robustness: Buffaloes easily adapt to hot and humid climates, even utilizing flooded or soft-soil terrains where traditional cattle experience mobility issues (14, 15). They are efficient in feeding on low-quality native pastures and weeds, which reduces feeding costs (14, 16).
Longevity and Productive Persistence: A well-managed buffalo cow can be productive for over 20 years, calving up to 15 offspring throughout her life (17), much more than an average cow. This reduces the need for replacement of breeding females and generates long-term savings (17). Additionally, buffaloes show a docile temperament and are good mothers, which favors calf rearing.
Product Quality: Buffalo meat is lean with less intramuscular fat, boasting higher protein content and lower cholesterol compared to beef (18, 19). Buffalo milk, in turn, has a high content of solids, fat, and protein (e.g., ~7.4% fat, 4.2% protein) (12), making it especially valuable for cheese, butter, and other derivatives. Indeed, a report indicates that buffalo meat and milk provide more nutrients (proteins, vitamins, minerals) than bovine products (20, 21).
Lower Direct Environmental Impact: Buffaloes have cushioned hooves that dampen their step, reducing soil compaction and erosion (22). Furthermore, by grazing on pastures near water bodies, they help keep channels clean (by eating aquatic weeds) (22). These factors position buffaloes as allies in sustainable grazing systems.

However, there are also challenges and limitations in buffalo farming:

Slower Reproduction: Due to the higher age at first calving and the post-calving interval, the replacement rate for buffalo cows is lower. A calving interval of around 400–430 days (4, 7) means that each female produces fewer offspring per unit of time than a well-managed cow (which aims for 365 days). This limits rapid herd expansion and annual milk production.
Specific Management Conditions: Buffaloes regulate their body temperature primarily through water and mud. Therefore, they require access to wet areas or wallows and shade for thermoregulation (23). In very dry climates or without sufficient available water, their performance can decrease. Additionally, although they are robust, they need similar health management to cattle (health plan, salt, shade, and clean water) (16).
Lower Carcass Yield: Compared to fattening cattle, buffaloes typically have a slightly lower carcass yield. Studies indicate a hot carcass yield of around 49–54% in buffaloes, while in commercial bovines it is usually 58–61% (24). This implies that, per unit of live weight, the usable meat product is somewhat less in buffaloes than in well-fed cattle.
Infrastructure and Market: In many countries, the buffalo productive chain is less developed than the bovine chain (fewer expert ranchers, fewer genetic programs, limited access to specific markets). This can restrict potential advantages. Also, buffalo meat is "drier" than beef (less marbling) (25), requiring consumer adaptation.

Adaptation to Tropical Climates and Environmental Considerations

Buffaloes are particularly well-suited for humid tropics. They have a high tolerance for humidity and can graze on waterlogged or poor soils that would be unsuitable for cattle (adaptability to humid tropics) (14, 15). However, due to their limited sweating, they depend on water or mud baths and shade to dissipate heat (23). Studies recommend maintaining silvopastoral systems with trees to provide shade, as this improves buffalo thermoregulation (26).

Environmentally, buffaloes can contribute to livestock sustainability in the tropics: they utilize native forages and weeds, which helps control invasive vegetation (14). Furthermore, their cushioned hooves exert less pressure on the soil, reducing erosion in riparian areas (22). In summary, their management is compatible with low-intensity and regenerative systems in hot and humid climates.

Productive Examples in Reference Countries

India: World leader with ~98.6 million buffaloes (56.5% of the global total) (27). Breeds like Murrah achieve about 2,226 kg of milk per lactation (305 days) with 6.7% fat (11). Pakistan, with ~29.8 million buffaloes, reports similar milk yields (Kundhi breed ≈2,000 kg) (28). Egypt has ~5.0 million (Egyptian breed: 1,200–2,100 kg in 210–280 days) (11).
Italy: Leading country in Europe with 200–220 thousand Mediterranean buffaloes. Management is intensive and specialized in milk. The Italian (Mediterranean) buffalo produces, on average, about 2,175 kg in 270 days of lactation, with 8.1% fat (10). All this milk is destined for high-value dairy products (e.g., buffalo mozzarella).
Brazil: Has the largest buffalo herd in America (~3.5 million head) (29). The most common breeds are Murrah, Mediterranean, and crossbreeds. Here, buffalo production is primarily for meat (but there is also dairy farming). There are no unique average yield data, but Murrah and Mediterranean breeds in tropical grazing typically yield from 1,800 to 2,200 kg/lactation.
Colombia: Has about 170 thousand buffaloes (predominant Murrah and Mediterranean breeds) (30). They are raised mainly for milk and regional cheeses. A buffalo study in the country (Murrah) reported 2,130 kg of milk per lactation (4), with long lactations (~300 days) and 8% fat. For meat, Colombian buffaloes on pasture can reach ~290 kg of weight at 280 days of age (31).

These examples illustrate that, while productive parameters vary between breeds and regions, buffaloes generally show comparable or superior yields to bovines in tropical environments, especially in terms of adaptability and product quality. In summary, buffalo farming presents attractive potentials (milk and meat quality, robustness) but also challenges (slower reproduction, management needs), thus its development demands adequate technical systems and specialized markets.

Sources: Information obtained from updated scientific and popular literature on buffalo and bovine livestock (1, 3, 4, 7, 10, 32), as well as from national and international agricultural organizations and institutions. Each numerical value cited corresponds to specific studies as indicated by the references.

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